Three novel bis(b-cyclodextrin (CD))s with flexible glycol linkers, i.e., ethylene glycol-bridged bis(6-hydroxy-6-deoxy-b-CD) (2), diethylene glycol-bridged bis(6-hydroxy-6-deoxy-b-CD) (3), and triethylene glycol-bridged bis(6-hydroxy-6-deoxy-b-CD) (4) have been synthesized by the reaction of mono[6-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)]-b-CD with corresponding materials. The inclusion complexation behaviors of these compounds 2 -4 with organic dyes; that is, acridine red (,3-trimethylphenazine-2,8-diamine hydrochloride; NR), ammonium 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (ANS), sodium 6-(p-toluidinyl)-naphthalene-2-sulfonate (TNS), rhodamine B (RhB) and brilliant green (¼ N-(4-{[4-(diethylamino)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl](phenyl)methyl}cyclohex-2-en-1-ylidene)-N-ethyl-ethanaminium hydrogen sulfate; BG), have been investigated at 258 in phosphate buffer (pH 7.20) by ultraviolet, fluorescence, and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the two linked CD units may cooperatively bind a guest, and the molecular binding ability toward dye guests, especially bent ANS, T-shaped RhB, and triangular BG, can be extended. This cooperative binding mode is confirmed by Jobs experiments and 2D-NMR investigations. Furthermore, the complex stability depends greatly on the linker length of these glycol-bridged bis(b-CD)s and the size and shape of guest. The higher binding ability and selectivity of dye molecules by bis(b-CD)s 2 -4 are discussed from the viewpoint of size/shape-fit concept and multiple recognition mechanism.